Looks like I might have gotten a bum PC. Periodic freezes and slow access times. I cloned the stock 5400rpm drive to a WD Caviar Black 7200rpm drive and it's still slow. See HD Tune image.



I can try a clean install of Windows (instead of cloning the drive) and switching the SATA port/cable. Anyone have any other ideas or did I just happen to get a refurb in need of further refurbishment?

neoche wrote:Originally, I was to receive mine on the 21st of September, however now they have pushed it back till the 22nd. I reside in Albany, NY and fedex tracking says my package just made it to Grove City, OH from Hutchins, TX, seemes to me the driver made a couple of pit stops along the way. A bit discouraged but my patience to the utmost will prevail.

Yeah I'm in Syracuse and mine was scheduled for 9/21 also and then changed to 9/22. Mine made it to LEWISBERRY, PA around 8pm tonight. If it leaves that facility tonight there's a chance it'll make it tomorrow.

blacknight595 wrote:Yeah I'm in Syracuse and mine was scheduled for 9/21 also and then changed to 9/22. Mine made it to LEWISBERRY, PA around 8pm tonight. If it leaves that facility tonight there's a chance it'll make it tomorrow.

Mine is supposed to get here to Portland, OR, tomorrow... but I haven't had an update since Sept. 17 when it was in Hutchins, TX.

So......... I guess we'll see.

mimetic2000 wrote:it is all pretty straight forward but make sure you connect the cables you will need on the PS before you install it. It's a pretty tight fit and if u don't you will have a hard time connecting them.

I had trouble with the driver... Download the latest driver online which is thair catalys control center software. and install it once you install the card.

I played Battlefield bad company 2 last night and the graphics are otterific.

Ok, she's out for delivery today! One more quick question regarding upgrading the PS and video card.

As far as the sequence, should I first fire it up as it came to check it out then;

1. Remove the bloatware
2. Defrag
3. remove PS and video card
4. Install new PS and video card
5. Install video card driver from the CD
6. Update video driver from the web site?

This seems easy but I just don't want to screw it up. If I am missing something or not doing something in the right order please post. Thanks for all the help.

Onajourney12 wrote:Ok, she's out for delivery today! One more quick question regarding upgrading the PS and video card.

As far as the sequence, should I first fire it up as it came to check it out then;

1. Remove the bloatware
2. Defrag
3. remove PS and video card
4. Install new PS and video card
5. Install video card driver from the CD
6. Update video driver from the web site?

This seems easy but I just don't want to screw it up. If I am missing something or not doing something in the right order please post. Thanks for all the help.

That is what I did. Have fun!

blsolom wrote:How do you know the PSU will fit? I tried squeezing a 400W or so PSU from an old Dell and it wouldn't fit.

I know it fit because it is in my computer now...

I didn't know if it would fit but I took rough measurements of my old HP desktop and looked at the specs of the new PS and they were roughly the same.

cozmorenfro wrote:Looks like I might have gotten a bum PC. Periodic freezes and slow access times. I cloned the stock 5400rpm drive to a WD Caviar Black 7200rpm drive and it's still slow. See HD Tune image.



I can try a clean install of Windows (instead of cloning the drive) and switching the SATA port/cable. Anyone have any other ideas or did I just happen to get a refurb in need of further refurbishment?

Can you give me a link to or information on how to clone the existing HD to another HD that is 7200 RPM?

I have a 7200 RPM hard drive that I would like to use instead of the 5200 RPM HD but don't want to have to re-install everything using...

mimetic2000 wrote:Can you give me a link to or information on how to clone the existing HD to another HD that is 7200 RPM?

I have a 7200 RPM hard drive that I would like to use instead of the 5200 RPM HD but don't want to have to re-install everything using...

I used the free Acronis True Image (Western Digital Edition):
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119

cozmorenfro wrote:I used the free Acronis True Image (Western Digital Edition):
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119

I'm assuming I don't have to have a Western digital hard drive to use this software?

Thanks for the quick reply.

with the RAID capabilities of this computer can I set up a RAID 1 configuration using a 7200 RPM drive and a 5200 RPM drive of the same size?

Does the RPM rating of the drives matter when it comes to Raid 1?

mimetic2000 wrote:I'm assuming I don't have to have a Western digital hard drive to use this software?

Thanks for the quick reply.

The documentation states that the program requires at least one Western Digital drive, but since the stock drive shipped in the system is a Western Digital Caviar Green, you should be good to go.

joshualder wrote:Mine is supposed to get here to Portland, OR, tomorrow... but I haven't had an update since Sept. 17 when it was in Hutchins, TX.

So......... I guess we'll see.

Mine was the same way... until last night =) It's on the truck and out for delivery today, hopefully everything works great.

joshualder wrote:Mine is supposed to get here to Portland, OR, tomorrow... but I haven't had an update since Sept. 17 when it was in Hutchins, TX.

So......... I guess we'll see.

I'm in Portland as well, and I called this morning since there hasn't been a scan at the hub facility. They said it is delayed and will be shipped tomorrow (Wed). I asked for a hold at the hub facility (Troutdale) and supposedly I will be able to pick it up Wed morning at 8am.

DeusExMachinist wrote:I'm in Portland as well, and I called this morning since there hasn't been a scan at the hub facility. They said it is delayed and will be shipped tomorrow (Wed). I asked for a hold at the hub facility (Troutdale) and supposedly I will be able to pick it up Wed morning at 8am.

The hub is in Troutdale? Hmm. I'm all the way over on the West side. Hopefully I get it tomorrow.

My computer was just delivered (Northern California)!!

Just got mine. Jacksonville Florida.

I'm still plotting while I continue to wait.

I looked at the mobo specs and it has like 6 SATA connections. Do you guys think I could fit 2 extra hard drives in this, one being in the 5.25 expansion slot? Is the power supply up to it?

Mine was delivered this morning. Central NC

DeusExMachinist wrote:I'm still plotting while I continue to wait.

I looked at the mobo specs and it has like 6 SATA connections. Do you guys think I could fit 2 extra hard drives in this, one being in the 5.25 expansion slot? Is the power supply up to it?

I don't know about two... but you could at least do one.

ednelson1111 wrote:My computer was just delivered (Northern California)!!

cdevore wrote:Just got mine. Jacksonville Florida.

Onajourney12 wrote:Mine was delivered this morning. Central NC

Did any or all of yours say that it was in transit or "out for delivery" today? I'm just curious as mine still says today is estimated delivery, but there is no other info about it actual having made it to Portland (other than what my fellow Portland Woot-er said in a previous post).

3:30 So Cal. Urg, hurry up Fed EX.

I feel like I'm 6 years old and it's December 24th.

joshualder wrote:Did any or all of yours say that it was in transit or "out for delivery" today? I'm just curious as mine still says today is estimated delivery, but there is no other info about it actual having made it to Portland (other than what my fellow Portland Woot-er said in a previous post).

mine has been "On FedEx vehicle for delivery" since 9:30 this morning. it's now almost 6.

Mine arrived today. I'll be using it in my office. It looks great so far except that I have a dual-monitor setup in my office and the video card in this system does not have dual-head output (as I somehow assumed it would). Any ideas? I'm not so concerned about performance for gaming-type video, but I don't want to ruin the HDCP and lose the ability to play blu-rays. So do I need to look for a replacement video card with HDCP and dual heads? Any suggestions? Or how about simply getting a second video card, a PCI-E X1 card, that is compatible with the card that's in there now? Not sure which way to go here. Thanks - JR

I just plugged my keyboard, mouse, and monitor in and hit the power button, and I've got nothing but a fan turned on...has this happened to anyone else?

Can someone tell me if the "power" button (located on the top near the front) is lit up when the computer is running?

This is a bit frustrating...

wkrieger wrote:mine has been "On FedEx vehicle for delivery" since 9:30 this morning. it's now almost 6.

It's 8:32 p.m. here on the West Coast, and my tracking no longer has an estimated delivery date. No info on it since Sept. 16.

jratzlaf wrote:Mine arrived today. I'll be using it in my office. It looks great so far except that I have a dual-monitor setup in my office and the video card in this system does not have dual-head output (as I somehow assumed it would). Any ideas? I'm not so concerned about performance for gaming-type video, but I don't want to ruin the HDCP and lose the ability to play blu-rays. So do I need to look for a replacement video card with HDCP and dual heads? Any suggestions? Or how about simply getting a second video card, a PCI-E X1 card, that is compatible with the card that's in there now? Not sure which way to go here. Thanks - JR

You can just get a USB SVGA adapter for that second monitor. There are a number available, including THIS one.

ultrashango wrote:I just plugged my keyboard, mouse, and monitor in and hit the power button, and I've got nothing but a fan turned on...has this happened to anyone else?

Can someone tell me if the "power" button (located on the top near the front) is lit up when the computer is running?

This is a bit frustrating...

I had to use the VGA adapter for my monitor...once I figured that out, everything worked great.

The power button on the top is lit, as is the HP logo in the middle of the panel.

So far I have de-crapified, installed several programs, and and slowly getting the updates done. almost 10pm, so I'm done for the night.

Tomorrow will be more installs, making the backup disks (I forgot the dvds at work), and trying to figure out the Windows 7 look.

So, mine came today and I've been playing around with it. Everything seems to be working but the sound. I went through the whole slew of suggestions (drivers updated, speakers connected properly, sound settings correct, BIOS settings, etc.) but I still got nothing. I'm starting to think it's a bad sound card (which would suck, seeing as it's onboard sound...). Any other suggestions out there on how to get this working? My speakers are fairly old, but I still don't see how they could be incompatible with Windows 7.

My PC is finally in Oregon... and is to be delivered tomorrow (I hope!). Can't wait. My current desktop is from 2001!! I've had two laptops since then, but it will be nice to use this desktop for some things that aren't as convenient on a laptop.

I got mine today and plugged in dual monitors (one DVI one HDMI). I have installed CS4 and some other programs, I still haven't removed bloatware, too lazy. I'll do a clean install soon. Runs ok, thought it would be faster. but oh well, still a good deal.

I just looked up the ATI video card (HD 5450) and it supports multiple monitors! The question is, how?!? It has only 1 DVI port... along with the HDMI port... does the 2nd monitor have to be HDMI? Or is there some kind of DVI 1-to-2 adapter?

jratzlaf wrote:Mine arrived today. I'll be using it in my office. It looks great so far except that I have a dual-monitor setup in my office and the video card in this system does not have dual-head output (as I somehow assumed it would). Any ideas? I'm not so concerned about performance for gaming-type video, but I don't want to ruin the HDCP and lose the ability to play blu-rays. So do I need to look for a replacement video card with HDCP and dual heads? Any suggestions? Or how about simply getting a second video card, a PCI-E X1 card, that is compatible with the card that's in there now? Not sure which way to go here. Thanks - JR

Got mine up and running last night. Removed a bunch, if not all the bloatware which took a while. Got the windows updates. The system seems real slow booting up. It goes through a long process before it loads windows. I'm not sure if this is normal but it is very slow starting. Maybe I removed something I shouldn't have. I basically know enough about this PC to get myself in trouble.

I'll try upgrading the PS and video card tonight. Can anyone recommend a utility that I can run to make sure the operating system is in order and perhaps measure the PC' performance?

Thanks Wooters!

ultrashango wrote:I just plugged my keyboard, mouse, and monitor in and hit the power button, and I've got nothing but a fan turned on...has this happened to anyone else?

Can someone tell me if the "power" button (located on the top near the front) is lit up when the computer is running?

This is a bit frustrating...

Quick follow-up for those that want to feel my pain...spent 1.5 hours with HP tech support last night and it turns out I drew the short straw with a defective motherboard. Ship it back to HP, wait 10 days, then I get it back. Sigh. Back to my old dog of a machine for a couple weeks.

Got mine yesterday, made the recovery disks, plopped in a 90 gig ssd drive put in the recovery disk and got the message "Drive is not the same size aborting recovery". Went out and bought a fresh copy of W764 pro. Not to disappointed since it is always nice to have a clean copy of windows. 7 pro takes up about 21 gigs. Install and drivers went in fine. Reformatted the 1TB drive. I never owned a computer with a ssd drive. Man what a hellova upgrade. From the pulsating window screen its about 5 seconds to the desktop with no hourglass(I'll have to time it from power button to desktop). Programs launch about as quickly as a mouse click. Loaded Evochron Mercenary. Runs well and looks great on my 50" Samsung thought I haven't had time to put it thru the wringer yet. Still I bought the PSU/videocard deal alot of people have order thru newegg. That comes tomorrow. Should be a hot setup.

ultrashango wrote:Quick follow-up for those that want to feel my pain...spent 1.5 hours with HP tech support last night and it turns out I drew the short straw with a defective motherboard. Ship it back to HP, wait 10 days, then I get it back. Sigh. Back to my old dog of a machine for a couple weeks.

Bummer dude.. Hope HP does you justice... i'm still waiting 4 mine.... Vancouver/Portland OR

ultrashango wrote:Quick follow-up for those that want to feel my pain...spent 1.5 hours with HP tech support last night and it turns out I drew the short straw with a defective motherboard. Ship it back to HP, wait 10 days, then I get it back. Sigh. Back to my old dog of a machine for a couple weeks.

Bummer dude.. Hope HP does you justice... i'm still waiting 4 mine.... Vancouver/Portland OR

ultrashango wrote:Quick follow-up for those that want to feel my pain...spent 1.5 hours with HP tech support last night and it turns out I drew the short straw with a defective motherboard. Ship it back to HP, wait 10 days, then I get it back. Sigh. Back to my old dog of a machine for a couple weeks.

Bummer dude.. Hope HP does you justice... i'm still waiting 4 mine.... Vancouver/Portland OR

huckman3 wrote:i'm still waiting 4 mine.... Vancouver/Portland OR

Mine is on the truck... just waiting for it here in Portland too (Beaverton-Hillsboro area). Hope it doesn't take too long.

i got mine last night, i've been removing bloatware and installing upgrades. i'm having one problem though:

i'm using it with my debranded 25" monitor i got previously from woot. when i used hdmi, i get random flashing white pixels in areas of the screen, especially visible over dark colors. using the dvi out with the adapter to the monitor's vga input seems to avoid it.

any ideas?

wkrieger wrote:i got mine last night, i've been removing bloatware and installing upgrades. i'm having one problem though:

i'm using it with my debranded 25" monitor i got previously from woot. when i used hdmi, i get random flashing white pixels in areas of the screen, especially visible over dark colors. using the dvi out with the adapter to the monitor's vga input seems to avoid it.

any ideas?

Have you had any problems using HDMI on the monitor before? I have the same one, and I've tested it previously with my XBOX. If you haven't, test another HDMI device (if you have one), so you can figure out if it's the video card or monitor having issues.